Minister Ritchie announces £3.2million contribution to secure delivery of Connswater Community Greenway project
Monday, 2 June 2008Department for Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today announced a £3.2million funding package to secure the delivery of the Connswater Community Greenway project in East Belfast.
As host of th event to celebrate the project's success in securing the full funding package of £31.4million, Minister Ritchie said: “I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations and thanks to everyone involved with the project on their success in developing this iconic landmark project and in securing a funding package that should ensure its delivery.”
Seeking support from ministerial colleagues and senior departmental officials in attendance at the event she added: “The Greenway Project provides a wonderful opportunity to further demonstrate what can be achieved through real partnership working between local communities, local government and central government. We can, if we all work together, make a real difference to the lives of the people in East Belfast as we take this project forward over the coming years.”
In closing Minister Ritchie reiterated her support for the project stating: “I am pleased that we have been able to make a contribution both financially and in terms of technical assistance to this wonderful project. I am proud to be part of a process that has brought so many people together towards a common goal.”
The Connswater Community Greenway Project is an ambitious environmental project aimed at delivering a linear park connecting existing green and open spaces from the Castlereagh Hills to Victoria Park in the Belfast Harbour Estate. The Greenway Project will reconnect the communities of East Belfast and restore the rivers as a living community asset creating some 18kms of accessible parkland for leisure, recreation and community events and activities.
The project was developed by a local community based organisation, East Belfast Partnership, whose vision is to develop a safe, accessible, sustainable greenway which is an inspirational living landmark that improves the quality of life for the people of East Belfast now and for future generations.
The partnership was successful in securing £23.5million from the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks Programme beating off stiff competition from across the UK to secure one of only three grants awarded under this programme. Also funding of £4.7million has been secured from Belfast City Council (BCC).
Notes to Editors:
1. Connswater Community Greenway.
The total cost of the Connswater Community Greenway is £31.4million. Funders: Belfast City Council £4.7million, Central Government £3.2million, Big Lottery £23.5million.
The Connswater Community Greenway is a community led proposal for the creation of a linear park through East Belfast, following the course of the Connswater River, connecting the open and green spaces and remediating the Connswater River itself. The Greenway will reconnect the communities of East Belfast and restore the Connswater River as a living community asset. It will create vibrant, attractive, safe and accessible parkland for leisure, recreation and community events and activities.
It will provide immediate benefit to the 40,835 people living in the wards adjacent to the river. Specifically, the Connswater Community Greenway will directly improve the living environment, reinstating a valuable amenity for local people and provide opportunities for improving health and well being. The Project will act as a catalyst for physical and economic development and improve access and connections for local communities to open spaces.
Connswater Community Greenway website
2. Living Landmarks Programme
Living Landmarks was launched in June 2005 to fund major projects that will have a real impact on communities. Across the UK, woodlands, waterways, cycle bridges, parks, buildings, open public spaces - projects that enhance the natural and built environments - are set to benefit.
The £140million programme will support large-scale capital. All the projects have gone through a competitive and rigorous assessment process to get this far.
There were three Northern Ireland projects initially shortlisted – The Giant's Park, The Titanic Signature Project and the Connswater Community Greenway. Connswater Community Greenway was the only successful Northern Ireland Project.
3. East Belfast Partnership
The East Belfast Partnership is a broad-based social partnership with community, statutory, political and business members who are dedicated to the regeneration of East Belfast.
The partnership is supported by central and local government and its role is to develop and oversee an urban regeneration strategy that will result in people being able to enjoy better services and a better quality of life.
East Belfast Partnership website
4. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy ‘People and Place’ was published in June 2003 to close the gap between the quality of life for people in the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods and the rest of society. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy has 4 interlinking strategic objectives;
Community Renewal - To develop confident communities that are able and committed to improving the quality of life in their area.
Economic Renewal - To develop economic activity in the most deprived neighbourhoods and connect them to the wider urban economy.
Social Renewal - To improve social conditions for the people who live in the most deprived neighbourhoods through better co-ordinated public services and the creation of safer environments
Neighbourhood Renewal information on the DSD website
5. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9496/07920 186639. Out of office please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.
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